As promised, we have the second of two pieces by Ryan Levy of tamu-and-baseball.com on draftees from Texas A&M University. Today's piece is on sandwhich pick Zack Jackson. Enjoy everyone!

After watching the Jays bats struggle all night at Skydome, I got home to find out that the bats were very much alive down in the minors. 4 wins as all 6 affiliates were in action for the first time this year.

Curtis Thigpen's Longhorns take on Georgia in the College World Series semifinals today at 1:00pm.

Why will Tampa Bay's franchise-record 12-game winning streak crash to a halt tonight? Not just because Roy Halladay takes the mound tonight against Victor Zambrano, and not just because Frank "Leadoff Homer" Menechino is atop the lineup. It's because it's Coach's birthday, and as Ryan Lind points out at Post #14 therein, Kent's riding a four-year winning streak. Top that, Mr. Piniella.

It's a great day for a man I'm honoured to call a mentor and a friend. Happy Birthday to Coach, without whom none of us would be here right now.

There Is No Cabal, but if there were Coach would be its Kim Il-Sung. Hail to the Great Leader!

As first reported by Gerry McDonald, the Jays have called up 2002 4th round pick Adam Peterson. According to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats press release, in 28.1 innings of work, Peterson has only given up 20 hits and 10 walks while striking out 38. He should be a valuable addition to the Jays bullpen.

Hey, our buddies from Tampa are in town! Let's go greet 'em in old-fashioned Cheer Club style.

You know me, I'm like into the clean stuff
Like PAC-MAN, and like, I don't know

Minor-league action in the Toronto system last night saw Pulaski playing their season opener and putting on a show, while Auburn won a close one in their home opener. Meanwhile, the Syracuse bats were anemic and the New Hampshire pitchers were flammable. Dunedin and Charleston rested on the laurels of their first-half division titles.

Pop quiz: which of the following outlandish statements is false?

A. Tampa Bay comes into this game riding an 11-game winning streak.
B. Statistically, Blue Jays starters are outperforming Yankees starters.
C. Statistically, Blue Jays relievers are outperforming Braves and Cubs relievers.
D. The Blue Jays leader in Win Shares Above Average is Jason Frasor.
E. Chris Gomez is starting at first base for Toronto tonight.

As if the Jays' infuriating 8-11 record in 2003 against Tampa Bay wasn't enough motivation for the hometown gang to get up for the first of six series against their divisional rival, the Devil Rays come into town the talk of baseball, having won an astonishing eleven straight ballgames.

Only a brief Advance Scout report today, as time has been short. But against the three pitchers Piniella will be sending to the mound this week, the Jays need to practice what they preach -- namely, patience at the plate -- to prevail.

On to the Advance Scout!

That's right, everyone's favourite pink-haired economist is in Toronto this week. Who's up for a get-together before Sunday's game?

Auburn notches their first win, Dunedin and Charleston play meaningless games, Syracuse get thirteen hits and lose, New Hampshire play extra innings and win, and Pulaski start their season tonight.

Growing up, my father had this somewhat beat-up black radio with silver knobs and speakers and a fake leather case. It spent about 75% of its time sitting on the little cabinet beside the kitchen table, next to his seat. When it wasn't there, it was in the garage or in the backyard beside the barbecue. This radio had one purpose: to play baseball games.

As Junior Griffey wished his dad (and his son, Trey) a "Happy Father's Day" with his 500th career home run yesterday, the thought bubbled ... this might be the first era in baseball history in which it's possible to build a complete All-Star team of sons of former players.

So here we go. It's not precisely "Hall of Names" fodder, but these are names you'll recognize.

We’ve reached the midway point of the regular season. This report will be longer than usual, as your not-so-humble correspondent reflects on the week — and the first half — that was.